[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 227 (Friday, November 26, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69019-69025]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-26171]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 4906]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for 
Grant Proposals for the Middle East Partnership Initiative Study of the 
United States (U.S.) Institutes for Student Leaders From the Middle 
East/North Africa

    Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreement.
    Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/A/E/USS-05-07.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 0000.
    Key Dates:
    Application Deadline: February 4, 2005.
    Executive Summary: The Study of the U.S. Branch, Office of Academic 
Exchange Programs, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, 
announces an open competition for public and private non-profit 
organizations to develop and implement two Middle East Partnership 
Initiative (MEPI) Study of the United States Institutes for 
Undergraduate Student Leaders, and one Middle East Partnership 
Initiative (MEPI) Study of the United States Institute for Recent High 
School Graduates. Funding for these institutes is being provided by the 
Department of State's Middle East Partnership Initiative, the U.S. 
Government's primary policy and programmatic mechanism to address 
reform in the Middle East.
    The Bureau anticipates awarding two separate assistance awards to 
support the institutes targeting undergraduate student leaders, and one 
assistance award to support a single institute for recent high school 
graduates (three assistance awards total). Prospective applicants are 
limited to submitting one proposal only to conduct one of these three 
programs.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Authority: Overall grant making authority for these programs is 
contained inthe Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, 
Public Law 87-256, as amended, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act. 
The purpose of the Act is ``to enable the Government of the United 
States to increase mutual understanding between the people of the 
United States and the people of other countries * * *; to strengthen 
the ties which unite us with other nations by demonstrating the 
educational and cultural interests, developments, and achievements of 
the people of the United States and other nations. * * * and thus to 
assist in the development of friendly, sympathetic and peaceful 
relations between the United States and the other countries of the 
world.'' Funding for these institutes is being provided from a transfer 
of FY-2005 Economic Support Funds for the Middle East Partnership 
Initiative.
    Purpose: The Bureau is seeking detailed proposals for each ``Middle 
East Partnership Initiative Study of the United States Institute for 
Undergraduate Student Leaders'' and the ``Middle East Partnership 
Initiative Study of the United States Institute for Recent High School 
Graduates'' from accredited U.S. colleges, universities, consortia of 
colleges and universities, and other not-for-profit academic 
organizations, that have an established reputation in one or more of 
the following fields: political science, international relations, law, 
history, sociology, U.S. studies, and/or other disciplines or sub-
disciplines related to the study of the United States.
    The academic program for the institutes should include attention to 
the role and influence of principles and values such as democracy, the 
rule of

[[Page 69020]]

law, individual rights, freedom of expression, equality, diversity and 
tolerance. Historical political, social and economic debates that have 
shaped U.S. society and/or current issues may be examined. The concepts 
of individual and civic responsibility, volunteerism and community 
involvement should also be addressed, and hands-on activities related 
to these areas should be included in the program. The grantee 
institution should take into account that the participants may have 
little or prior knowledge of the U.S. and varying degrees of experience 
in expressing their opinions, and should tailor the curriculum and 
classroom activities accordingly.
    In addition to promoting a better understanding of the United 
States, the institute emphasizes developing the participants' 
leadership and collective problem solving skills. In this context, the 
program should include lectures as well as group discussions and 
exercises focusing on such topics as the essential attributes of 
leadership; ``teambuilding;'' effective communication and problem-
solving skills; and management skills for diverse organizational 
settings.
    The institutes must be serious academic programs and grantee 
institutions will be expected to demonstrate sensitivity in explaining 
the students' responsibility to take full advantage of the opportunity, 
fully participate in all elements of the program and prepare for 
discussions and activities in a serious way.
    Each program should be 47 days in length including participant 
arrival and departure days, a 2-day pre-program orientation in 
Washington, DC, and a domestic travel component up to fourteen days, of 
which 3-4 days should be spent in Washington, DC, at the end of the 
program. This travel component should directly complement the academic 
residency segment. It should include visits to cities and other sites 
of interest in the region of the grantee institution.
    The project director or one of the key program staff responsible 
for the academic program must have an advanced degree in political 
science, international relations, law, history, sociology, American 
studies and/or other disciplines or sub-disciplines related to the 
study of the United States. Programs must conform with Bureau 
requirements and guidelines outlined in the Solicitation Package. 
Bureau programs are subject to the availability of funds.
    The institutes should be organized through an integrated, balanced 
series of lectures and seminar discussions that leave ample time for 
discussion and interaction among students, lecturers and guest 
speakers. Reading and writing assignments need to be adjusted to the 
participants' familiarity with English. Grantee institutions need to 
recognize the diverse characteristics and academic preparation of the 
students who are recent secondary school graduates or university 
students. Experiential learning exercises, regional travel, and site 
visits are important elements of the program. Institutes should also 
include opportunities for participants to meet American citizens from a 
variety of backgrounds, to interact with peers, and to speak to 
appropriate student and civic groups about their experiences and life 
in their home countries.
    Applicants are encouraged to design thematically coherent programs 
that draw upon the particular strengths, faculty and resources of their 
institutions as well as upon the nationally recognized expertise of 
scholars and other experts throughout the United States. Within the 
limits of their thematic focus and organizing framework, Institute 
programs should also be designed to:
    1. Give participants a multi-dimensional view of U.S. society and 
institutions that includes a broad and balanced range of perspectives. 
Where possible, programs should therefore include the views not only of 
scholars, cultural critics and public intellectuals, but also those of 
other professionals such as government officials, journalists and 
others who can substantively contribute to the topics at issue;
    2. Ensure access to library and material resources that will enable 
grantees to continue their studies and develop follow-on projects 
related to the summer institute curriculum upon returning to their home 
institutions; and,
    3. Bring an interdisciplinary or multi-disciplinary focus to bear 
on the program content, if appropriate.
    The grantee institutions will also be expected to provide 
participants post-program opportunities for further investigation and 
research on the topics and issues examined and discussed during the 
institute. The Bureau will work closely with the grantee organization 
and with U.S. Embassies abroad to organize an alumni workshop for 
participants in this program at a site to be determined in the Middle 
East/North Africa region within six-twelve months after the conclusion 
of the institute. The alumni workshop will provide the students 
opportunities to further develop their leadership potential and 
interact with leaders and professionals from the Middle East/North 
Africa region.

The MEPI Study of the U.S. Institute for Undergraduate Student Leaders

    This program is intended for 21 highly motivated undergraduates who 
will be entering the second or third year of college or university 
study in fall 2005, and who demonstrate leadership through academic 
work, community involvement, and extracurricular activities.
    For these undergraduate institutes, leadership training and related 
activities should ideally be scheduled to take place at least on a 
weekly basis, if not more frequently, during the academic residency 
period, and should be integrated into the academic program wherever 
possible.

The MEPI Study of the U.S. Institute for Recent High School Graduates

    This program is intended for a group of highly motivated students 
from the Middle East and North Africa who will have completed their 
high school studies in the summer of 2005 and who will be commencing 
undergraduate studies in their home countries the fall of 2005.
    The expectation is that the institute for recent high school 
graduates will incorporate even greater emphasis on leadership and 
related (teambuilding, critical thinking) skills development. The 
program for recent high school graduates should assign roughly equal 
weight to the ``Study of the U.S'' and leadership development 
components.
    Participants: As specified in the Project Objectives, Goals and 
Implementation (POGI) guidelines in the solicitation package, the MEPI 
Study of the U.S. Institute for Undergraduate Student Leaders should be 
designed for highly motivated and exemplary first and second year 
undergraduate students from colleges, universities and teacher training 
institutions in Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, 
Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, the 
United Arab Emirates, the West Bank and Gaza, and Yemen who demonstrate 
leadership through academic work, community involvement, and 
extracurricular activities. [Note: Israeli participants will be Arab-
Israelis only.]
    The MEPI Study of the U.S. Institute for Recent High School 
Graduates should be designed for highly motivated students from these 
same countries who will have completed their high school studies in the 
summer of 2005 and who will be commencing undergraduate studies in the 
fall of 2005.
    Participants will be identified and nominated by U.S. embassies and 
consulates in those countries, with final

[[Page 69021]]

selection made by the Study of the U.S. Branch in consultation with the 
MEPI office. A mix of male and female participants will be included, 
and a mix of religious and cultural backgrounds represented. Their 
major fields will be varied, including the humanities, social sciences, 
education, business, and other professional fields. All participants 
will have good knowledge of English.

    Please Note: While the participants will have good knowledge of 
English, the level of comprehension and speaking ability may vary. 
Therefore, the grantee institutions will be required to prepare 
lectures and discussions that meet high academic standards while 
using language appropriate for students for whom English is their 
second or third language.

    Efforts will be made to recruit participants from non-elite 
backgrounds from both rural and urban sectors of the home country, and 
who have had little or no prior study or travel experience in the 
United States or elsewhere outside of their home country. All 
participants will be required and committed to return to their home 
countries to continue or commence their university studies in the fall 
of 2005 following completion of their institute program; be willing and 
able to fully participate in an intensive academic program, community 
service, and active educational travel program. Participants and 
grantee institutions must recognize that the primary purpose of the 
program is to develop understanding of the U.S. in a structured 
environment managed by the Department of State and the grantee 
institution. Personal travel during or after the program is not a 
benefit of participating in the institute. As participants will be 
selected in large part on the basis of their demonstrated leadership 
capacity, it is expected they will eventually utilize the experience 
derived from the program in positions of responsibility in their home 
countries.
    The grantee institution will show sensitivity to the cultural 
traditions and religious practices of the participating students, who 
will represent a variety of Muslim and other religious traditions. 
Special requirements and restrictions regarding diet, daily worship, 
housing and medical care should be considered. The Branch will provide 
guidance and assistance, as needed.
    Program Dates: Each program should be 47 days in length (including 
participant arrival and departure days and a two day pre-program 
orientation). The institute for undergraduate student leaders is 
anticipated to begin early July 2005. The institute for recent high 
school graduates is anticipated to begin mid-July 2005.
    Program Guidelines: While the conception and structure of the 
institute program is the responsibility of the organizers, it is 
critically important that proposals provide a full, detailed and 
comprehensive narrative describing the objectives of the institute; the 
title, scope and content of each session; planned site visits; and, how 
each session relates to the overall institute theme. A proposed 
syllabus must therefore be provided indicating the subject matter for 
each lecture, panel discussion or other activity (e.g., group 
exercises), confirm or provisionally identify proposed lecturers and 
session leaders, and clearly shows how assigned readings will support 
each session. A calendar of all program activities must also be 
included. Additionally, applicant institutions should describe their 
plans for public and media outreach in connection with the program.

    Note: In a cooperative agreement, the Study of the U.S. Branch 
is substantially involved in program activities above and beyond 
routine grant monitoring. Branch activities and responsibilities for 
this program are as follows: the Branch will participate in the 
selection of participants, will conduct a pre-program orientation, 
will exercise oversight with one or more site visits and will 
debrief participants while in the U.S. and also engage in follow-up 
communications with the participants upon their return home. The 
Branch may require changes in the content of the program as well as 
the activities proposed after the grant is awarded. The recipient 
will be required to obtain review and approval of significant 
agenda/syllabus changes in advance of their implementation.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement. ECA's level of involvement in 
this program is listed under number I above.
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY-2005.
    Approximate Total Funding: $990,000.
    Approximate Number of Awards: 3.
    Approximate Average Award: $350,000.
    Floor of Award Range: $285,000.
    Ceiling of Award Range: $350,000.
    Anticipated Award Date: Pending availability of funds, March 1, 
2005.
    Anticipated Project Completion Date: September 30, 2006.
    Additional Information: Pending successful implementation of this 
program and the availability of funds in subsequent fiscal years, it is 
ECA's intent to renew this grant for two additional fiscal years, 
before openly competing it again.

III. Eligibility Information

III.1. Eligible Applicants

    Applications may be submitted by public and private non-profit 
organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code 
section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3).

III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching Funds

    There is no minimum or maximum percentage required for this 
competition. However, the Bureau encourages applicants to provide 
maximum levels of cost sharing and funding in support of its programs.
    When cost sharing is offered, it is understood and agreed that the 
applicant must provide the amount of cost sharing as stipulated in its 
proposal and later included in an approved grant agreement. Cost 
sharing may be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs. For 
accountability, you must maintain written records to support all costs 
which are claimed as your contribution, as well as costs to be paid by 
the Federal government. Such records are subject to audit. The basis 
for determining the value of cash and in-kind contributions must be in 
accordance with OMB Circular A-110, (Revised), Subpart C.23--Cost 
Sharing and Matching. In the event you do not provide the minimum 
amount of cost sharing as stipulated in the approved budget, ECA's 
contribution will be reduced in like proportion.

III.3. Other Eligibility Requirements

    (a) Bureau grant guidelines require that organizations with less 
than four years experience in conducting international exchanges be 
limited to $60,000 in Bureau funding. ECA anticipates awarding two 
assistance awards in an amount up to $320,000 each for the MEPI Study 
of the U.S. Institutes for Undergraduate Student Leaders and one 
assistance award in an amount up to $350,000 for one MEPI Study of the 
U.S. Institute for Recent High School Graduates. (These are the 
estimated sums required to support program and administrative costs to 
carry out these exchange programs.) Therefore, organizations with less 
than four years experience in conducting international exchanges are 
ineligible to apply under this competition.
    (b) Technical Eligibility: All proposals must comply with the 
following: The project director or one of the key program staff 
responsible for the academic program must have an advanced degree in 
one of the following fields: political science, international 
relations, law, history, sociology, literature, a U.S. studies field, 
and/or

[[Page 69022]]

other disciplines or sub-disciplines related to the program themes.
    Failure to meet these criteria will result in your proposal being 
declared technically ineligible and given no further consideration in 
the review process.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    Note: Please read the complete Federal Register announcement 
before sending inquiries or submitting proposals. The Branch staff 
will be available to consult with prospective applicant institutions 
about proposal preparation and program design and content up until 
the proposal submission deadline. Once the RFGP deadline has passed, 
Bureau staff may not discuss this competition with applicants until 
the proposal review process has been completed.

IV.1. Contact Information To Request an Application Package

    Please contact the Branch for the Study of the U.S., ECA/A/E/USS, 
Room Number 252, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20547, telephone number (202) 260-0535 and fax number 
(202) 619-6790, e-mail [email protected] to request a Solicitation 
Package. Please refer to the Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/A/E/USS-
05-07-MEU (Institute for Undergraduate Student Leaders) or ECA/A/E/USS-
05-07-MEHS (Institute for Recent High School Graduates) when making 
your request.
    The Solicitation Package contains the Proposal Submission 
Instruction (PSI) document which consists of required application 
forms, and standard guidelines for proposal preparation.
    It also contains the Project Objectives, Goals and Implementation 
(POGI) document, which provides specific information, award criteria 
and budget instructions tailored to this competition.
    Please specify program officer Julia Pallares and refer to the 
Funding Opportunity Number ECA/A/E/USS-05-07 located on the top of this 
announcement on all other inquiries and correspondence.

IV.2. To Download a Solicitation Package Via Internet

    The entire Solicitation Package may be downloaded from the Bureau's 
Web site at http://exchanges.state.gov/education/rfgps/menu.htm. Please 
read all information before downloading.

IV.3. Content and Form of Submission

    Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation 
Package. The original and ten (10) copies of the application should be 
sent per the instructions under IV.3e. ``Submission Dates and Times 
section'' below.
    IV.3a. You are required to have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal 
Numbering System (DUNS) number to apply for a grant or cooperative 
agreement from the U.S. Government. This number is a nine-digit 
identification number, which uniquely identifies business entities. 
Obtaining a DUNS number is easy and there is no charge. To obtain a 
DUNS number, access http://www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1-866-705-
5711. Please ensure that your DUNS number is included in the 
appropriate box of the SF-424 which is part of the formal application 
package.
    IV.3b. All proposals must contain an executive summary, proposal 
narrative and budget.
    Please refer to the solicitation package. It contains the mandatory 
Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) document and the Project 
Objectives, Goals and Implementation (POGI) document for additional 
formatting and technical requirements.
    IV.3c. You must have nonprofit status with the IRS at the time of 
application. If your organization is a private nonprofit which has not 
received a grant or cooperative agreement from ECA in the past three 
years, or if your organization received nonprofit status from the IRS 
within the past four years, you must submit the necessary documentation 
to verify nonprofit status as directed in the PSI document. Failure to 
do so will cause your proposal to be declared technically ineligible.
    IV.3d. Please take into consideration the following information 
when preparing your proposal narrative:
    IV.3d.1. Adherence to All Regulations Governing the J Visa. The 
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs is placing renewed emphasis 
on the secure and proper administration of Exchange Visitor (J visa) 
Programs and adherence by grantees and sponsors to all regulations 
governing the J visa. Therefore, proposals should demonstrate the 
applicant's capacity to meet all requirements governing the 
administration of the Exchange Visitor Programs as set forth in 22 CFR 
62, including the oversight of Responsible Officers and Alternate 
Responsible Officers, screening and selection of program participants, 
provision of pre-arrival information and orientation to participants, 
monitoring of participants, proper maintenance and security of forms, 
record-keeping, reporting and other requirements. ECA will be 
responsible for issuing DS-2019 forms to participants in this program.
    A copy of the complete regulations governing the administration of 
Exchange Visitor (J) programs is available at http://exchanges.state.gov or from: United States Department of State, Office 
of Exchange Coordination and Designation, ECA/EC/ECD--SA-44, Room 734, 
301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, Telephone: (202) 401-9810, 
FAX: (202) 401-9809.
    Please refer to Solicitation Package for further information.
    IV.3d.2. Diversity, Freedom and Democracy Guidelines. Pursuant to 
the Bureau's authorizing legislation, programs must maintain a non-
political character and should be balanced and representative of the 
diversity of American political, social, and cultural life. 
``Diversity'' should be interpreted in the broadest sense and encompass 
differences including, but not limited to ethnicity, race, gender, 
religion, geographic location, socio-economic status, and disabilities. 
Applicants are strongly encouraged to adhere to the advancement of this 
principle both in program administration and in program content. Please 
refer to the review criteria under the `Support for Diversity' section 
for specific suggestions on incorporating diversity into your proposal. 
Public Law 104-319 provides that ``in carrying out programs of 
educational and cultural exchange in countries whose people do not 
fully enjoy freedom and democracy,'' the Bureau ``shall take 
appropriate steps to provide opportunities for participation in such 
programs to human rights and democracy leaders of such countries.'' 
Public Law 106-113 requires that the governments of the countries 
described above do not have inappropriate influence in the selection 
process. Proposals should reflect advancement of these goals in their 
program contents, to the full extent deemed feasible.
    IV.3d.3. Program Monitoring and Evaluation. Proposals must include 
a plan to monitor and evaluate the project's success, both as the 
activities unfold and at the end of the program. The Bureau recommends 
that your proposal include a draft survey questionnaire or other 
technique plus a description of a methodology to use to link outcomes 
to original project objectives. The Bureau expects that the grantee 
will track participants or partners and be able to respond to key 
evaluation questions, including satisfaction with the program, learning 
as a result of the program, changes in behavior as a result of the 
program, and effects of the program on institutions (institutions in 
which participants work or partner institutions). The evaluation plan 
should include indicators that

[[Page 69023]]

measure gains in mutual understanding as well as substantive knowledge.
    Successful monitoring and evaluation depend heavily on setting 
clear goals and outcomes at the outset of a program. Your evaluation 
plan should include a description of your project's objectives, your 
anticipated project outcomes, and how and when you intend to measure 
these outcomes (performance indicators). The more that outcomes are 
``smart'' (specific, measurable, attainable, results-oriented, and 
placed in a reasonable time frame), the easier it will be to conduct 
the evaluation. You should also show how your project objectives link 
to the goals of the program described in this RFGP.
    Your monitoring and evaluation plan should clearly distinguish 
between program outputs and outcomes. Outputs are products and services 
delivered, often stated as an amount. Output information is important 
to show the scope or size of project activities, but it cannot 
substitute for information about progress towards outcomes or the 
results achieved. Examples of outputs include the number of people 
trained or the number of seminars conducted. Outcomes, in contrast, 
represent specific results a project is intended to achieve and is 
usually measured as an extent of change. Findings on outputs and 
outcomes should both be reported, but the focus should be on outcomes.
    We encourage you to assess the following four levels of outcomes, 
as they relate to the program goals set out in the RFGP (listed here in 
increasing order of importance):
    1. Participant satisfaction with the program and exchange 
experience.
    2. Participant learning, such as increased knowledge, aptitude, 
skills, and changed understanding and attitude. Learning includes both 
substantive (subject-specific) learning and mutual understanding.
    3. Participant behavior, concrete actions to apply knowledge in 
work or community; greater participation and responsibility in civic 
organizations; interpretation and explanation of experiences and new 
knowledge gained; continued contacts between participants, community 
members, and others.
    4. Institutional changes, such as increased collaboration and 
partnerships, policy reforms, new programming, and organizational 
improvements.

    Please Note:  Consideration should be given to the appropriate 
timing of data collection for each level of outcome. For example, 
satisfaction is usually captured as a short-term outcome, whereas 
behavior and institutional changes are normally considered longer-
term outcomes.

    Overall, the quality of your monitoring and evaluation plan will be 
judged on how well it (1) specifies intended outcomes; (2) gives clear 
descriptions of how each outcome will be measured; (3) identifies when 
particular outcomes will be measured; and (4) provides a clear 
description of the data collection strategies for each outcome (i.e., 
surveys, interviews, or focus groups). (Please note that evaluation 
plans that deal only with the first level of outcomes [satisfaction] 
will be deemed less competitive under the present evaluation criteria.)
    Grantees will be required to provide reports analyzing their 
evaluation findings to the Bureau in their regular program reports. All 
data collected, including survey responses and contact information, 
must be maintained for a minimum of three years and provided to the 
Bureau upon request.
    IV.3d.4. Describe Your Plans for Overall Program Management, 
Staffing, and Coordination With the Study of the U.S. Branch. The 
Branch considers program management, staffing and coordination with the 
Department of State essential elements of your program. Please be sure 
to give sufficient attention to these elements in your proposal. Please 
refer to the Technical Eligibility Requirements and the POGI in the 
Solicitation package for specific guidelines.
    IV.3e. Please Take the Following Information Into Consideration 
When Preparing Your Budget:
    IV.3e.1. Applicants must submit a comprehensive budget for the 
entire program. There must be a summary budget as well as breakdowns 
reflecting both administrative and program budgets. Applicants may 
provide separate sub-budgets for each program component, phase, 
location, or activity to provide clarification.

MEPI Study of the U.S. Institute for Undergraduate Student Leaders

    Based on a group of 21 participants, the total Bureau-funded budget 
(program and administrative) for this institute should be up to 
approximately $320,000.

MEPI Study of the U.S. Institute for Recent High School Graduates

    Based on a group of 21 participants, the total Bureau-funded budget 
(program and administrative) for this institute should be up to 
approximately $350,000.
    Justifications for any costs above these amounts must be clearly 
indicated in the proposal submission. Proposals should try to maximize 
cost-sharing in all facets of the program and to stimulate U.S. private 
sector, including foundation and corporate, support. Applicants must 
submit a comprehensive budget for the entire program. The Bureau 
reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase proposal budgets in 
accordance with the needs of the program, and availability of U.S. 
government funding.
    Please refer to the ``POGI'' in the Solicitation Package for 
complete institute budget guidelines and formatting instructions.
    IV.3e.2. Allowable Costs for the Program Include the Following:
    (1) Institute staff salary and benefits.
    (2) Honoraria for guest speakers.
    (3) Participant per diem.
    Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget 
guidelines and formatting instructions.
    IV.3f. Submission Dates and Times:
    Application Deadline Date: Friday, February 4, 2005.
    Explanation of Deadlines: In light of recent events and heightened 
security measures, proposal submissions must be sent via a nationally 
recognized overnight delivery service (i.e., DHL, Federal Express, UPS, 
Airborne Express, or U.S. Postal Service Express Overnight Mail, etc.) 
and be shipped no later than the above deadline. The delivery services 
used by applicants must have in-place, centralized shipping 
identification and tracking systems that may be accessed via the 
Internet and delivery people who are identifiable by commonly 
recognized uniforms and delivery vehicles. Proposals shipped on or 
before the above deadline but received at ECA more than seven days 
after the deadline will be ineligible for further consideration under 
this competition. Proposals shipped after the established deadlines are 
ineligible for consideration under this competition. It is each 
applicant's responsibility to ensure that each package is marked with a 
legible tracking number and to monitor/confirm delivery to ECA via the 
Internet. ECA will not notify you upon receipt of application. Delivery 
of proposal packages may not be made via local courier service or in 
person for this competition. Faxed documents will not be accepted at 
any time. Only proposals submitted as stated above will be considered. 
Applications may not be submitted electronically at this time.
    Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation 
Package.

    Important Note: When preparing your submission please make sure 
to include one extra copy of the completed SF-424 form and place it 
in an envelope addressed to ``ECA/EX/PM.''


[[Page 69024]]


    The original and ten (10) copies of the application for the MEPI 
Study of the U.S. Institute for Student Leaders should be sent to: U.S. 
Department of State, SA-44, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, 
Program Management, ECA/EX/PM, Room 534, 301 4th Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20547.

    Please Note: For the MEPI Study of the U.S. Undergraduate 
Student Leaders Program use reference number: ECA/A/E/USS-05-07-MEU.
    For the MEPI Study of the U.S. Institute for Recent High School 
Graduates use reference number: ECA/A/E/USS-05-07-MEHS.

    Along with the Project Title, all applicants must enter the above 
Reference Numbers in Box 11 on the SF-424 contained in the mandatory 
Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) of the solicitation document.
    IV.3g. Intergovernmental Review of Applications: Executive Order 
12372 does not apply to this program.
    Applicants are also requested to submit the ``Executive Summary'' 
and ``Proposal Narrative'' sections of the proposal in text (.txt) 
format on a PC-formatted disk.

V. Application Review Information

V.1. Review Process

    The Bureau will review all proposals for technical eligibility. 
Proposals will be deemed ineligible if they do not fully adhere to the 
guidelines stated herein and in the Solicitation Package. All eligible 
proposals will be reviewed by the program office. Eligible proposals 
will be subject to compliance with Federal and Bureau regulations and 
guidelines and forwarded to Bureau grant panels for advisory review. 
Proposals may also be reviewed by the Office of the Legal Adviser or by 
other Department elements. Final funding decisions are at the 
discretion of the Department of State's Assistant Secretary for 
Educational and Cultural Affairs. Final technical authority for 
cooperative agreements resides with the Bureau's Grants Officer.
Review Criteria
    Technically eligible applications will be competitively reviewed 
according to the criteria stated below. These criteria are not rank 
ordered and all carry equal weight in the proposal evaluation:
    1. Overall Quality: Proposals should exhibit originality and 
substance, consonant with the highest standards of American teaching 
and scholarship, and be suitable for students with English as their 
second or third language. Program elements should be tailored for 
students with limited knowledge of the U.S. and with varying degrees of 
experience in expressing their opinions. Lectures, panels, and other 
interactive classroom activities, readings, community service, and site 
visits, taken as a whole, should offer a balanced presentation of 
issues, reflecting both the continuity of the American experience as 
well as its inherent diversity and dynamism.
    2. Program Planning and Administration: Proposals should 
demonstrate careful planning. The organization and structure of the 
institute should be clearly delineated and be fully responsive to all 
program objectives. A program syllabus (noting specific sessions and 
topical readings supporting each academic unit) should be included, as 
should a calendar of activities. The travel component should not simply 
be a tour, but should be an integral and substantive part of the 
program, reinforcing and complementing the academic segment. Proposals 
should provide evidence of continuous administrative and managerial 
capacity as well as the means by which program activities and 
logistical matters will be implemented.
    3. Ability to Achieve Program Objectives: Objectives should be 
reasonable, feasible, and flexible. Proposals should clearly 
demonstrate how the institution will meet the program's objectives and 
plan.
    4. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel, including faculty 
and administrative staff as well as outside presenters, should be fully 
qualified to achieve the project's goals. Library and meeting 
facilities, housing, meals, transportation and other logistical 
arrangements should fully meet the needs of participants.
    5. Institution's Record/Ability: Proposals should demonstrate an 
institutional record of successful exchange program activities, 
indicating the experience that the organization and its professional 
staff have had working with foreign students. The Bureau will consider 
the past performance of prior recipients and the demonstrated potential 
of new applicants.
    6. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate substantive 
support of the Bureau's policy on diversity. ``Diversity'' should be 
interpreted in the broadest sense and encompass differences including, 
but not limited to ethnicity, race, gender, religion, geographic 
location, socio-economic status, and disabilities. Applicants are 
strongly encouraged to adhere to the advancement of this principle both 
in program administration and in program content. Applicant should 
highlight instances of diversity in their proposal.
    7. Evaluation and Follow-up: Proposals should include a plan to 
evaluate the activity's success, both as the activities unfold and at 
the end of the program. A draft survey questionnaire or other technique 
plus description of a methodology to link outcomes to original project 
objectives is strongly recommended. Proposals should discuss provisions 
made for follow-up with returned grantees as a means of establishing 
longer-term individual and institutional linkages.
    8. Cost-effectiveness: The overhead and administrative components 
of the proposal, including salaries and honoraria, should be kept as 
low as possible. All other items should be necessary and appropriate.

VI. Award Administration Information

VI.1. Award Notices

    Final awards cannot be made until funds have been appropriated by 
Congress, allocated and committed through internal Bureau procedures. 
Successful applicants will receive an Assistance Award Document (AAD) 
from the Bureau's Grants Office. The AAD and the original grant 
proposal with subsequent modifications (if applicable) shall be the 
only binding authorizing document between the recipient and the U.S. 
Government. The AAD will be signed by an authorized Grants Officer, and 
mailed to the recipient's responsible officer identified in the 
application.
    Unsuccessful applicants will receive notification of the results of 
the application review from the ECA program office coordinating this 
competition.

VI.2 Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    Terms and Conditions for the Administration of ECA agreements 
include the following:
    Office of Management and Budget Circular A-122, ``Cost Principles 
for Nonprofit Organizations.''
    Office of Management and Budget Circular A-21, ``Cost Principles 
for Educational Institutions.''
    OMB Circular A-87, ``Cost Principles for State, Local and Indian 
Governments.''
    OMB Circular No. A-110 (Revised), Uniform Administrative 
Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher 
Education, Hospitals, and other Nonprofit Organizations.
    OMB Circular No. A-102, Uniform Administrative Requirements for 
Grants-in-Aid to State and Local Governments.
    OMB Circular No. A-133, Audits of States, Local Government, and 
Non-profit Organizations.

[[Page 69025]]

    Please reference the following Web sites for additional 
information: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants. http://exchanges.state.gov /education/ grantsdiv /terms.htm#articleI.

VI.3. Reporting Requirements

    You must provide ECA with a hard copy original plus two copies of 
the following reports:
    Mandatory: (1.) A final program and financial report no more than 
90 days after the conclusion of the institute;
    Grantees will be required to provide reports analyzing their 
evaluation findings to the Bureau in their regular program reports. 
(Please refer to IV. Application and Submission Instructions (IV.3d.3) 
above for Program Monitoring and Evaluation information.
    All data collected, including survey responses and contact 
information, must be maintained for a minimum of three years and 
provided to the Bureau upon request.
    All reports must be sent to the ECA Grants Officer and ECA Program 
Officer listed in the final assistance award document.

VI.4. Optional Program Data Requirements

    Organizations awarded grants will be required to maintain specific 
data on program participants and activities in an electronically 
accessible database format that can be shared with the Bureau as 
required. As a minimum, the data must include the following:
    (1) Name, address, contact information and biographic sketch of all 
persons who travel internationally on funds provided by the grant or 
who benefit from the grant funding but do not travel.
    (2) Itineraries of international and domestic travel, providing 
dates of travel and cities in which any exchange experiences take 
place. Final schedules for in-country and U.S. activities must be 
received by the ECA Program Officer at least three work days prior to 
the official opening of the activity.

VII. Agency Contacts

    For questions about this announcement, contact: Branch for the 
Study of the U.S., ECA/A/E/USS, Room Number 252, ECA/A/E/USS-05-07-MEU 
for the Institute for Undergraduate Student Leaders, and ECA/A/E/USS-
05-07-MEHS for the Institute for Recent High School Graduates, the U.S. 
Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, 
telephone number (202) 260-0535 and fax number (202) 619-6790, e-mail: 
[email protected].
    All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and number ECA/A/E/USS-05-07-MEU or ECA/A/E/
USS-05-07-MEHS.
    Please read the complete Federal Register announcement before 
sending inquiries or submitting proposals. Once the RFGP deadline has 
passed, Bureau staff may not discuss this competition with applicants 
until the proposal review process has been completed.

VIII. Other Information

Notice

    The terms and conditions published in this RFGP are binding and may 
not be modified by any Bureau representative. Explanatory information 
provided by the Bureau that contradicts published language will not be 
binding. Issuance of the RFGP does not constitute an award commitment 
on the part of the Government. The Bureau reserves the right to reduce, 
revise, or increase proposal budgets in accordance with the needs of 
the program and the availability of funds. Awards made will be subject 
to periodic reporting and evaluation requirements per section VI.3 
above.

    Dated: November 18, 2004.
C. Miller Crouch,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 04-26171 Filed 11-24-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P